Princess of Fire and Smoke (Forbidden Court Book 1)

by Stephanie Bell

  As much as I hate to admit it, a part of me is somewhat relieved to see that everyone looks just as traumatized as I feel. They haven’t taken the murder of their High Queen and King lightly.

  Let’s hope they don’t hold that against me. All it will take is one person spotting me before I’m ready and my plan is blown.

  Making my way towards the podium, I squeeze past groups of people talking and drinking wine, occasionally ducking my head down as I pass guards who are scattered throughout the room. I pass a refreshment table and grab a goblet of wine, hoping a drink will calm my nerves. Finally, I arrive at my perfect hiding place. A little alcove just to the side of the podium.

  It's the same place I would hide as a child and watch my parents when they hosted events here. I’m thrilled no one has noticed my secret hiding place in my absence and I stand there, hidden in the shadows, as I watch the soldiers stand at attention.

  The trumpets blow and I watch as the announcer calls out the arrival of ‘The Acting High King’. My stomach tightens and my magic flares through my veins as I watch my people bow to Maximus. I see the smug look on his face, and fury has my hand tightening on my mug, threatening to shatter it.

  My legs are moving before I even realize what’s happening. My heart and my magic spur me forward. I could kill him right now. I could stop him from ever sitting on the throne and maybe, that would prevent the prophecy from coming true.

  A tall figure steps in front of me and the dark swirling magic that meets mine has me freezing in my place. You’ve got to be kidding me.

  I glance up at the man, whose back is to me. I’d know that magic anywhere. I seethe as I look up at the dark hair and I hold my magic inside me, refusing to let it out. The last thing I need is for the General to find me when I’m this close.

  I back away slowly. As annoying as it is to see the General again, his sudden presence has broken the spell that was over me. I know killing Maximus right now is not the way to go, so I move back to my hidden alcove glaring at the General’s back the whole time.

  He’s dressed in Murra’s ceremonial dress uniform. A pair of rust-colored pants and a full black jacket that is tailored perfectly for him. When he moves, inspecting the crowd, I can see his muscles straining under his jacket. Without looking, I know medals are pinned to his chest, fitting a man of his rank.

  No one should look that good while being a traitor and I have to fight my instinct to drop my mental shield and tell him exactly what I think of his Murrian uniform.

  Maximus makes it to the stage and summons the room's attention.

  “My dear subjects of Chadonia, I am here with a heavy heart. I never imagined that I would be standing on this podium, representing the crown right after the royal family’s assassination. My brother and his wife were the best High King and Queen we could have asked for, and I am sickened at what my beloved niece has done.

  "We all loved Adeline so much, she was favored to be our new High Queen. I don’t know what made her commit such a horrible and unspeakable crime, but recent rumors have told us that she has hidden a terrible power from us. She is a destroyer and that means everything within her path will get demolished until she gets what she wants. Maybe what she wanted most was to become High Queen.

  "It’s with a sad heart that so soon after their death, I have to call to order the next and final Royal Trial. That’s right. The late Queen Adora and I talked extensively before her death, and she had decided the Trials, while effective, are too cruel to our elects. Punishing them for any weakness and putting them in harm's way. Whoever wins this next trial will be the rightful leader and their territory will possess the crown until they no longer serve the kingdom’s best interest.”

  The silence in the room pops and everyone starts talking at once.

  Lying, manipulative piece of garbage! I want to yell and scream that this is not what my mother wanted. It takes every bit of effort to hold my magic back, but it fights with a vengeance to get to this man who is single-handedly trying to kill my kingdom.

  If he gets the crown, his descendants will rule Chadonia forever. They’ll never willingly relinquish the crown. There is absolutely no way my parents would have agreed to this. The trials are horrible, but they’re a necessary test for the better of our kingdom.

  “Now, without further adieu, let me introduce the Elects that will be fighting for this great honor.” Maximus continues like he didn’t just drop a huge revelation on everyone.

  “Prince Elect Xander of Perth,” Xander walks out from a back room with a smile on his face. Dressed in Perth’s Royal ensemble, he strides across the stage and takes his place behind Maximus, waving as the crowd cheers him on.

  "Prince Elect Dante of Elphine,” Dante saunters onto the stage with a smirk on his face. Seeing him again is like a blow to the stomach. He embodies the ‘bad boy’ persona perfectly and he’s decked out in the green and gold royal uniform Elphine is known for.

  “Princess Elect Aria of Ballina,” Aria walks sensually onto the stage. Her slow languish steps have everyone in the room leaning forward to get a better look at the long red gown that twirls around her.

  I’m happy to see, while her dress is fitted too, it doesn’t hold a candle to the dress Charis picked out for me. Thank you, Charis.

  “Prince Elect Nereus of Murra,” The crowd is exceptionally loud here. I’d bet my tiara Maximus stuffed the room full of Murra’s loyal subjects. Nereus walks across the podium giving a slight wave to the people cheering for him. My heart softens for my favorite cousin as he stumbles into a furious Aria. She grimaces and tries not to shove him off of her, giving an exaggeratedly kind laugh and standing him back up beside her.

  “Prince Elect Orion of Talmine,” Orion's small frame is next to walk onto the stage. He smiles shyly and waves at the crowd. This time, when the crowd goes crazy cheering, I believe them. Orion is a kingdom favorite and while not many people think he will win, he is so sweet everyone can’t help but love him.

  “Prince Elect Lachlan of Tyndrom,” Lachlan makes his appearance on stage and I gasp in surprise. He’s grown up a lot in the past year, with his impressive height and broad-shouldered, he has all the women in the crowd swooning.

  It gives me a particularly smug feeling when I see Dante glare at him. Lachlan might be able to challenge Dante for the most eligible bachelor of Chadonia, after all.

  “Princess Elect Charis of Aith,” Charis strides onto the stage in a waterfall of blues and greens. Her dress looks like the embodiment of water itself is swirling and sparkling around her with every step she takes. The crowd gasps in awe at the beautiful dress and the stunning woman wearing it.

  My heart fills with pride. Of all the people that deserved this praise, she is at the top of the list. When she takes her place next to Lachlan, he only has eyes for her. Picking up her hand he kisses it gently and holds it in his.

  There is no way anyone could miss the show of unity between the two elects. The crowd is filled with shocked whispers until someone starts clapping. It picks up until the room is filled with thunderous applause.

  I take this as my chance and carefully skirt around the General, walking closer to the podium.

  “Let’s have a hand for all of these amazing Elects. Amongst them stands your future High King or Queen of Windsor,” Maximus announces.

  I step onto the stage and take my cloak off, letting it drop to the floor. My appearance stuns the crowd to silence and I know I’ll only get one chance at this.

  “I would like to say something,” I pronounce each word carefully and speak as loudly as I can, capturing everyone’s attention. I don’t dare look at Maximus or the other Elects.

  “I know you’ve heard the vicious rumors that I killed my parents. But that’s all it is, rumors. You have all known me since I was a child, you've watched me grow up and you know I would never do such a thing. I can’t explain the allegations towards me, and I can’t prove who killed my parents, yet. But make no mistake, I will punish the person w
ho is responsible, and I will prove my innocence.

  "As High Princess Elect, I claim my spot in the trials and I ask my fellow elects to vote for me and allow me to participate.”

  At this point, I turn to cast my eyes on each of my fellow elects. They all stare at me with hard glares, just as they’re supposed to. No one can know they helped me bring this plan into action.

  I can’t hold it back any longer, I make the mistake of glancing at Maximus. He glares at me as fury contorts his face. My look must have snapped him out of his shock because he glances around the room.

  Realizing what I’m asking, he screams, “Guards seize her! For the murdered of the High Queen and King of Chadonia.”

  I put my hands behind my back, preparing to pull the ring off my finger. I'm ready for a fight and if I'm not allowed to participate, I'll kill Maximus right here.

  Strong hands clasp my wrists, pulling them apart and forcing my ring to stay on.

  A familiar voice whispers in my ear, “I don’t think so, Princess.”

  A frustrated growl escapes me, and I drop the mental wall. You don’t know what you're doing, General!

  Oh, I know exactly what I’m doing, darling.

  The guards close in around me and yelling begins to fill the room.

  “Let her compete!”

  “She deserves a chance!”

  “She would never do those things!”

  The yelling joins together to create an uproar.

  It’s the commoners that are yelling. It’s my people and they believe me.

  Tears threaten to slip down my carefully placed makeup.

  “You can’t be serious,” Maximus roars. “She murdered your High Queen and King and you want to give her the chance to control this Kingdom?”

  “The trials will decide. If she’s lying, she’ll never make it through to the end.” Someone yells from the crowd.

  “She’s been charged with murder! I can’t possibly let her compete in such a royal event,” Maximus barks at him.

  “That’s for the Elect’s to decide,” I yell, trying to get my voice to carry over the arguments in the crowd. “They alone have the power to deny a rightful request for the trial. It's in Chadonia's laws!”

  Maximus shoots me a venomous glare that would have killed me if he had any magic. “Will you shut her up, General?” He hisses under his breath.

  “She’s right,” A deep voice boom from behind us.

  Xander! My heart leaps into my throat as everyone in the room quiets and gives him their attention.

  “Each Elect has the right to vote for or against a rightful claim to the trials. The vote must be unanimous to allow anyone accused of a crime to participate.”

  “Let them vote!” The people yell.

  “Of course, you’re all right,” Maximus says playing to the crowd.

  He stares down at the people with a smile that looks genuine, but all I can see is the sneer he wore when he stabbed my father.

  “Xander, will you allow your mentor and friend's murderer to compete for the crown?” Maximus asked him, poison dripping from his voice.

  “I have known Adeline all of her life, she is impulsive, reckless, and stubborn.” His eyes found mine. “But she is the most loyal person I know. She would never betray anyone, especially her parents. She didn’t kill them, so I vote yes. Allow her to compete and let the best contestant win.”

  A low snarl comes out of Maximus and the General's hold on me tightens. He pulls me into him, pressing my back into his chest as one hand goes to his sword.

  “Who else would like a vote?” Maximus asks quietly.

  Charis takes a step forward. “Adeline would never hurt anyone unless they deserved it,” She cuts her eyes towards Maximus. “I vote yes. Allow her to compete.”

  All eyes go to Lachlan who stands right beside Charis. “I too, vote yes. Adeline has always been a kind and generous friend to us.”

  Three votes down.

  My heart speeds up as Aria steps forward with a challenge in her eyes. “I’ve despised the High Princess for many years now. I would like nothing more than to see her thrown in a dungeon somewhere. That being said, as frustratingly annoying as she is, she would never do something as vicious as kill her own parents. Let her compete and hang the real monster. I vote yes.”

  A tear drops down my cheek as she meets my eye. “I still don’t like you, but you don’t deserve this punishment.”

  Hope blossomed in my heart.

  Next, it's Orion who steps up. “Adeline was there for me when my parents died. She is the one who helped me grieve them and she taught me what being a ruler was all about. I owe her everything, and I will vote for her every time. I vote yes.”

  The crowd cheers. Everyone is cheering, sure of my acceptance into the competition. But I'm not so sure. I still need Dante and Nereus’ votes.

  "Who else will vote?” Maximus sneers looking back and forth between the two elects that are left.

  Dante is the one who steps forward. “As most of you know, High Princess Adeline and I were engaged for a short time. I had every hope and dream of marrying her,” He says as his green gaze captures mine.

  He walks towards me and gently, but firmly, pulls my hand out of the General’s grip. The General releases me, but I can feel his presence like a brand on my back.

  “Then she ended our engagement and broke my heart,” Dante says in a tragic voice, as dramatic as ever.

  This isn't the way our engagement went at all, but the crowd has grown quiet, clinging to every word Dante says.

  “Even though she chose not to marry me, I’ve always vowed that I would change her mind someday,” He winks flirtatiously at me.

  I bite my lip trying to stop my laughter from bubbling out at the absurdity of the situation, but I don't interrupt. He is the best at mastering a crowd, and I trust that he knows what he's doing.

  “I will always stand by this woman, for she has already granted me more happiness than anyone will ever know. I vote yes.” He kisses my hand and looks at me with a sparkle in his eyes. He finishes with a deep bow and goes to stand beside Aria.

  I glance back and forth between them with a raised eyebrow. Aria smirks back at me, and I can only hope that means she’s forgiven him.

  “Well son,” Maximus says snidely. “How do you vote? Do you join your Elects, or do you realize this for the disaster it is?”

  Nereus walks up to me and takes my hands in his. His eyes dart back and forth between me and his father. “I’m not sure what happened to Uncle Jerome and Aunt Adora. Everyone says you killed them, Addy. There are witnesses. Did you do it?” His question is whisper-soft, meant only for my ears to hear.

  “No, cousin. I did not kill them,” I look up at him, begging him to believe me.

  He raises an eyebrow and darts his eyes towards his father. It’s a question only I am meant to understand.

  With a slight nod, I confirm his fear. His eyes widen in shock but it’s quickly replaced by a look of barely controlled fury.

  I suck a breath in at the look that reminds me so much of Maximus.

  Nereus turns to look out at the crowd and his voice booms throughout the room with a determination I've never heard from him before.

  “My aunt and uncle took me in when my mother died. While my father was too distraught to deal with a newborn, they treated me like I was their son, and it kills me that they were murdered in such a tragic way. But I saw a side to Adeline that not many people have seen.

  "Most people think she is favored because her parents were the High Queen and King. But that’s really only a small reason. She is fiercely protective, determined, and willing to fight for what she loves. Not only would she never commit such an act against her family, but I know she won't stop until the guilty party is punished. She will stand by her beliefs no matter what it takes, and she will succeed. Today, I chose to act like her. Cousin, I grant you acceptance into the Trials. May you win and kill the bastard that assassinated your parents.”


  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Maximus’ roar of anger is drowned out by the cheers of the people and relief rushes through me. It worked; I am in the trials.

  People press in around me, wishing me luck and giving their condolences. Some tell me they never believed that I killed my parents, but I'm not too sure if they actually mean it, or if they're trying to get on my good side in case, I do become High Queen.

  I try to make my way towards the banquet hall, where the elects will be given a feast, but I can't get past the swarm of people trying to get my attention. I duck past a group and weave towards the outside of the room.

  I'm almost to the banquet hall when a man stops me with a hand on my arm, pulling my attention to him. He's taller than me and wearing one of Murra's uniforms. His dirty blonde hair is cut short and the medals on his jacket indicate he's a Captain.

  Warning bells go off in my head as he sneers down at me.

  "How can I help you, Captain?" I ask him, raising an eyebrow.

  He leans down to whisper in my ear. “I think you did kill your parents and you're manipulating everyone." His eyes drag down my dress. “But that’s okay, I’m a captain in the dungeons. When they throw you into there, I’ll be waiting, and we can have a lot of fun.” He sneers down at me suggestively.

  I know his type, they're poisonous creatures who thrive off fear. So, I take a deep breath and shove the panic clawing at me down.

  I look up at him with my most royal expression. “I don’t care where I go, I will never have any fun with you.”

  He snarls down at me. "Someday you’ll change your mind. I’m much nicer than some of the other men you’ll find down there.”

  “I’ll never change my mind. A High Princess doesn’t slum it with a prison guard,” I try putting as much ice into my words as possible.

  The guard yanks my arm, throwing me off my balance, and pulls me into an empty hallway. “You little bitch,” He seethes at me. “What makes you think you're so much better than me? You’re a disgrace to your parents and your kingdom.”